David Martindale finding life at Livingston 'difficult' as injury crises bites

David Martindale admitted Livingston are “in a difficult moment in terms of numbers” for their cinch Premiership survival mission after three more players were added to their injury list.

The relegation-threatened Lions were already without key quintet James Penrice, Cristian Montano, Jack Hamilton, Kurtis Guthrie and Mick Devlin.

And the situation worsened after Shaun Donnellan and Scott Pittman were forced off in last Saturday’s Scottish Cup win away to Partick Thistle, while Steven Bradley pulled out in the warm-up with an Achilles issue.

Martindale revealed on Wednesday that he is braced for the possibility of missing all eight players for Saturday’s cinch Premiership match at home to St Mirren.

“The numbers are really depleted,” he said. “We’re in a difficult moment in terms of numbers. It’s about getting these boys back on the park as quick as possible while also looking after the boys that are available week on week.

“And fair play to the players, Pittman has been playing through an injury because he knows how important every game is to the club over the past six weeks or so.

“He said he wanted to play against Partick and help the team but he went off with an Achilles/calf injury. The boys are rushing themselves back to try and help the group, but it’s not ideal.”

On the plus side, former Inverness midfielder David Carson is able to return for Saturday’s clash with the Buddies after being cup-tied for the Partick game.

Martindale is hoping the euphoria of reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a late comeback from two goals down can help rouse his team as they bid to eat into a six-point deficit at the foot of the table.

“I don’t think we’ve been a million miles away from getting results, I really don’t, but the boys dug themselves out of a hole on Saturday and hopefully that gives them a bit of self-belief,” said the Lions boss.

“We’ve got to try to turn the cup results and performances into results in the league because games are running out.

“There are 13 games left. I understand that, the boys understand that. There’s a lot of perspective in the building.

“We need to start picking up points in the league so hopefully the result on Saturday gives the boys a bit self-belief.”